Nitrated bornyl phenols and the method of preparing the same



Patented Feb. 16, 1943 2,311,282 NITRATED BORNYL PHENOLS AND THE METHOD OF Richard PREPARING THE SAME 0. Roblin, .lr., and Ingenuin Hechenbleikner, Stamford, Conn, assignors toAmerican Cyanamid corporation of Maine Company, New York, N. Y., a

No Drawing. Application January 31, 1940, Serial No. 316,542

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to nitrated bornyl phenols and particularly to dinitro bornyl phenols and the method of preparing the same.

It has been found that the above compounds may be prepared by forming the sulphonic acid derivative of the corresponding bornyl phenol and subsequently nitrating the said sulphonic acid derivative.

The bornyl phenol compounds utilized in accordance with this invention may be prepared as follows: 21 parts by weight ofbornyl chloride were dissolved in 10 parts of toluene. The resulting solutiontogether with 12 parts of phenol was introduced into a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, thermometer and condenser. One part of catalyst (Filtrol impregnated with of its weight of zinc chloride) was added and the mixtured stirred slowly during the course of the reaction. The temperature was raised gradually to 125 C. The reaction was substantially completed in 2 hours. The solution was filtered from the Filtrol and washed with a large excess of water. After drying with sodium sulphate and separation from the solvent, the crude bornyl phenol product was distilled under reduced pressure. Athick viscous liquid distilling between 125 and 145 C.at less than 1 mm. was obtained which upon cooling to room temperature set to a mushy colorless solid. The distillate was dissolved in petroleum ether and cooled externally with carbon dioxide. Colorless crystalline bornyl phenol separated. The solid was filtered from the solution and after recrystallization from petroleum ether, melted at 109 C. The petroleum ether was removed from the filtrate by distillation. The bornyl phenol residue was a colorless viscous liquid which distilled at 130 C. at less than 1 mm. ressure. 7

In preparing the mononitro or dinitro bornyl phenols, two or one mole equivalents respectively of bornyl phenol are added to at least 2.5 mole equivalents of concentrated sulphuric acid. The temperature is maintained at 75-85" C. during the addition. An excess of water is added after the formation of the sulphonic acid derivative is effected. The resulting bornyl phenol sulphonic acid solution is added slowly with stirring to at least 2.5 mole equivalents of concentrated nitric acid, maintaining the temperature between 70 and 85 C. The nitration step may be carried out by gradually adding the nitric acid to the sulphonic acid solution. The reaction mixture is then cooled and the resulting product separated.

The invention will be illustrated in greater detail by the following examples. The materials employed are in parts by weight.

Example 1 4 parts of crystalline bornyl phenol (M. P. 109 C.) were dissolved in 6.4 parts of concentrated sulphuric acid. The solution was heated at approximately 80 C. for 15 minutes. 20 parts of water were then added to the sulphonated mixture. 5.7 parts of concentrated nitric acid were added slowly to the sulphonated mixture with rapid stirring during a period of 45 minutes. The temperature was maintained between and C. 70 parts of water were then added to the nitration mixture, agitation and heating at about 80 C. being continued for 2 hours. The resulting mixture was poured into a bath of ice water. The dinitro bornyl phenol separated in the form of a yellow sticky solid. After recrystallization from petroleum ether, the yellow crystalline'product melted at 70 C.

Example 2 24 parts of liquid bornyl phenol (a colorless viscous liquid which distilled at 130 C. at less than 1 mm.) were gradually addedto 38.6 parts of concentrated sulphuric acid. The resulting solution was heated for 15 minutes at about 80 C. 120 parts of water were then added to the sulphonated mixture, followed by the gradual addition of 34.1 parts of concentrated nitric acid during a period of 45 minutes. The mixture was stirred rapidly and the temperature held between '70 and 80 C. during the addition of the nitric acid. 420 parts of water were then added to the nitration mixture, agitation and heating at 80 C. being continued for 2 hours. The resulting mixture was poured into a bath of ice water. The dinitro bornyl phenol separated in the form of a deep red oil. The product was removed from the aqueous layer, washed free of acid and dried.

Example 3 23 parts of bornyl phenol (a fraction distilling at 120-135 C. at less than 1 mm.) were added slowly to 44.2 parts of concentrated sulphuric acid. The solution was heated to C. for 15 minutes and then diluted with '70 parts of water. The bornyl phenol sulphonic acid solution was added slowly to 28.4parts of concentrated nitric acid diluted with 10 parts of water. The temperature was allowed to rise to 75 C. and the sulphonic acid solution added at such a rate that the temperature remained constant. The nitration mixture was then agitated and heated at 80-85 C. for 2 hours. Upon cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature the dinitro bornyl phenol separated as an oil. The product was removed from the acid residue, washed thoroughly with water and dried.

Example 4 44.2 parts of concentrated solution was heated at ap- The bornyl added slowly acid diluted with 15 parts of water, the temperature being held at approximately 75 C. The nitration mixture was then agitated and heated at 80 to 85 C. for 2 hours. Upon cooling the mixture to room temperature the mononitro bornyl phenol separated as a light red oil. The product was removed from the aqueous layer, washed free of acid and dried.

The nitrated bornyl phenols are particularly useful as insecticides, and have been found toxic not only to the red spider mite, but also to the black scale, when incorporated into sprays and applied to citrus fruit trees.

These compounds may be used as such or in the form of their salts. Among the substances which may be utilized in forming salts of the nitrated bornyl phenols, are the oxides and hydroxides of the alkali and alkaline earth metals, ammonia and amines. Many of these salts are water soluble and'may be applied in aqueous solution together with wetting or spreading agents. They may also be incorporated in dusts such as walnut shell or talc.

Sprays may be prepared by dissolving one part by weight of the nitrated bornyl phenol in one part of sodium hydroxide and diluting with tap water. A spray of 1-500 dilution killed 97.6% of the black scale while a 1-1000 dilution produced a 100% kill of the citrus red spider mite.

Insecticides of this type may be used on citrus trees without danger of leaf burn even under very unfavorable weather conditions.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereto but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A method of preparing a nitrated bornyl phenol which comprises reacting bornyl phenol with sulphuric acid to produce a bornyl phenol C. at less than 1 mm.) were 7 C. for minutes and thensulphonic acid, diluting the bornyl phenol sulphonic acid with water, reacting the bornyl phenol sulphonic acid in dilute aqueous solution with nitric acid, separating and recovering the nitrated bornyl phenol from the reaction mixture,

2. A method of preparing a. dinitro bornyl phenol which comprises reacting 1 mole equivalent of bornyl phenol with at least 2.5 mole equivalents of concentrated sulphuric acid to produce a bornyl phenol sulphonic acid, diluting the bornyl phenol sulphonic acid with water, reacting the bornyl phenol sulphonic acid in dilute aqueous solution with at least 2.5 mole equivalents of concentrated nitric acid, separating and recovering the dinitro bornyl phenol from the reaction mixture.

3. Method of claim 2 in which the bornyl phenol and concentrated sulphuric acid are re-' ac ed together at a temperature of from 75 to 85 C.

4. Method of claim 2 in which the bornyl phenol sulphonic acid in dilute aqueous solution is reacted with the concentrated nitric acid at a temperature of from to 85 C.

5. A nitrated bornyl phenol.

6. A solid dinitro bornyl phenol.

7. A liquid dinitro bornyl phenol.

8. A method of preparing a nitrated bornyl phenol which comprises reacting bornyl phenol with sulfuric acid at from to 0., to produce a bornyl phenol sulfonic acid, diluting the bornyl ph'enol sulfonic acid with water, react ng the bornyl phenol sulfonic acid in dilute aqueous solution with nitric acid at from 70 to 85 C., and separating and recovering the nitrated bornyl phenol from the reaction mixture.

9. A method of preparing a dinitro bornyl phenol which comprises reacting one mol equivalent of bornyl phenol with at least 2.5 mol equivalents of concentrated sulfuric acid at from 75 to 85 C. to produce a bornyl phenol sulfonic acid, diluting the bornyl phenol sulfonic acid with water, reacting the bornyl phenol sulfonic acid in dilute aqueous solution with at least 2.5 mol equivalents of concentrated nitric acid at a temperature of from 70 to 85 C., and separating and recovering the dinitro bornyl phenol from the reaction mixture.

10. A nitrated bornyl phenol prepared according to the process of claim 9.

11. Asolid dinitro bornyl phenol substantially identical with the product obtained according to the method outlined in claim 9.

12. A liquiddinitro bornyl phenol substantially identical with theproduct obtained according to the method outlined in claim 9.

RICHARD O. ROBLIN, JR.

INGENUIN HECHENBLEIKNER. 

